From Addiction to Redemption: IQ Interview with Mohammed Saleem

At 14, he had his first puff of cannabis. At 16, he was a heroin addict. Mohammed Saleem spent 15 years in prison. He gives a stroke-by-stroke account of what it was like getting caned 17 times! Beyond the scars of his past, this is a man of tremendous depth and unflinching honesty. Saleem is now a father, a mentor for at-risk youths, and an advocate for struggling addicts. IQ Chief Editor, Viswa Sadasivan speaks frankly with Saleem, and dives into his journey from the “Margins to the Middle” (Title of his essay in the book: (Re)Defining SINGAPORE.) It is a profound exploration of grit, the downside of punitive intervention, and the life-changing power of regaining dignity when someone believes in you. Watch the Full Interview. It will transform the way you think. 0:00 Intro 7:30 Saleem's descent into drugs, crime 14:00 Prison life 16:00 Caning 21:10 How did Saleem change? 30:45 How to truly help addicts 34:00 Village Model 41:00 Rehabilitation over punitive punishments 50:30 Saleem's current work 57:30 Making space for mistakes and growth